Frequently Asked Questions

What is the role of a Referee?

A Referee is appointed to enforce the Laws of the Game so that it is played in a fair and safe manner. An organised football match cannot take place without a referee and his assistants. Please see Laws 5 and 6 for the responsibilities of Referees and Assistant Referees.

How can I become a Referee?

Anyone who is a resident of Guyana and has attained the age of 16 years, but not older than 25 years can become a GFF Registered Referee.

To train as a GFF Referee you will have to complete an Introductory Course and be successful at an examination.

For more information on what you need to do to become a referee and what the course is all about , please contact the Refereeing Department at:

What is the difference between the Referees Committee and the Referees Council?

The Referees Committee is one of the standing committees of the GFF and has exclusive responsible for Refereeing organisation, regulations and development. It is composed of a Chairman, Deputy Chairman and other members deemed necessary to discharge its functions.

The Referees Council is an affiliate member of the GFF and which has as its prime objectives providing support and welfare network to its members and to represent the interests of its members to controlling bodies in football. The Council is administered by a Board elected bi-annually.

How many Referees officiate a game and what are their roles?

The Laws of the Game provide for a Referee, two Assistant Referees and a Fourth official.

The Referee:

The person responsible for enforcing the Laws of the Game during the course of a match. He or she is the final decision-making authority on all facts connected with play, and is the only official on the pitch with the authority to start and stop play and impose disciplinary action against players during a match.The Assistant Referees:

The Assistant Referees assist the referee to control the match in accordance with the Laws of the Game. They have particular responsibility for when the whole of the ball leaves the field of play to determine:

• Which team is entitled to a goal kick, corner kick or throw-in
• When a player may be penalised for being in an offside position
• When misconduct or any other incident occurs outside of the view of the referee.

The Fourth Official:

The Fourth Official assists the Referee to control the match in accordance with the Laws of the Game and officiates if any of the three other match officials (referee or assistant referees) is unable to continue. S/he has specific responsibilities for:

• Controlling the occupants of the technical area
• Assisting with substitution procedures during the match
• Assisting with any administrative duties before, during and after the match, as required by the referee.

Who Appoint Referees to games?

One of the Duties of the Referees Committee is to appoint Referees to matches in competitions organised by the Member Association or any other Tournaments.

What are the Laws of the Game?

• Law 1: The Field of Play
• Law 2: The Ball
• Law 3: The Number of Players
• Law 4: The Players’ Equipment
• Law 5: The Referee
• Law 6: The Assistant Referees
• Law 7: The Duration of the Match
• Law 8: The start and restart of play
• Law 9: Ball in and out of play
• Law 10: The Method of Scoring
• Law 11: Offside
• Law 12: Fouls and Misconduct
• Law 13: Free kicks (direct and indirect)
• Law 14: The Penalty Kick
• Law 15: The Throw-in
• Law 16: The Goal Kick
• Law 17: Corner kick

What is considered a Yellow Card offense?

A player is cautioned and shown the yellow card if he/she commits any of the following seven offenses:

• Unsporting behaviour
• Dissent by word or action
• Persistent infringement of the Laws of the Game
• Delaying the restart of play
• Failure to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick, free kick or throw-in
• Entering or re-entering the field of play without the referee’s permission
• Deliberately leaving the field of play without the referee’s permission
• Fouls and misconduct are covered more extensively in Law 12 of the Laws of the Game.

What is considered a Red Card offense?

A player, substitute or substituted player is sent off if he/she commits any of the following seven offenses:

• Serious foul play
• Violent conduct
• Spitting at an opponent or any other person
• Denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goalscoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area)
• Denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player’s goal by an offense punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick
• Using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures
• Receiving a second caution in the same match
• A player, substitute or substituted player who has been sent off must leave the vicinity of the field of play and the technical area
• Fouls and misconduct are covered more extensively in Law 12 of the Laws of the Game.